There is not much if any difference in speed and handling from the 2012. The biggest difference is that the 2013 has two different settings on the wingtip.

The 2011 turbine pulled like a truck, and the 2012 lost a little bottom end but handled better as the wind picked up. The 2013 has two setting, one for low end (like 2011) and one for higher winds (like 2012). I have personally ridden this kite with a spleen door in around 6-8mph, but I weight 140lbs. Still it's one of the best light wind kites that we've flown, and we fly a lot here.

The only other design change is there are inserts at the trailing edge near the wingtips to put batons in to firm up the sail. Neil said this would help the kite perform better in higher winds, but we have not gotten to play with those yet.

Overall great kite, relaunches in wind that's two light to ride most times. Sorry but I with my weight a 17 and a race board doesn't work well, so I can't talk about it as far as racing, but being a low aspect kite I would think that it may not be the best race kite, but I honestly don't know.

OK, didn't have the 2011 or 2012. I heard the 2011 was a bit of a dog but worked in low winds.
I'm 90kg and ride a skim in 8 knots quite easy in the tropics on my 2013 Turbine. It turns reasonably quick for a 17m and has a remarkable ease to its flying. Whne the wind picks up, its not a scarey thing which is what happens to alot of big kites. I've been out in 15-17 knots without depowering still and didn't feel the need to. This thing has massive range.

The tips have batten pockets. If you use battens (or as i did thick nylon line) then the bar presure which is quite low for a big beast increases a bit but reducing the flap the tips have when its getting powered. In less than 10 knots the tips don't flap.

Is anyone having trouble inserting the batten strips into the pockets on the 2013 Turbine? I can get them about half way in before they won't go any further. It feels like they are running into some type of glue or something.